Review of a book about Tolkien

J.R.R. TOLKIEN

by Michael Coren

First published in Great Britain by Boxtree
ISBN 0 7522 6156 8

Review by Chris Crawshaw

After reading this book, I wondered at what market the author had aimed this volume. It's not just that it is easy to read. I have no problem with that; it's the feeling of being talked down to that bothered me. He also tends to put in phrases which are intended to add a personal touch, personal from the point of view of those about whom he is writing. For example, in the first chapter concerning the first years of Tolkien's life and the death of his father you get Poor Arthur. Poor Mabel. Poor little boys. Statements such as this occur on more than one occasion, usually associated with the death of a beloved one. In Chapter seven we read, Goodnight Edith. Goodnight Luthien. I found such comments unnecessary and somewhat distasteful. It was like reading a children's book in which phrases are repeated for a child learning to read (e.g. See Spot run. Run Spot run!).

However all that aside, as previously mentioned this book is very easy to read. It contains a brief insight into Tolkien's life, without going into minute details about the publishing of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This is covered, of course, but in a few pages (the whole book is only 133 pages including the index). Michael Coren does have a tendency to write the biography as though he was there and knew what was happening at any particular time, down to each cup of tea and each pipe smoked. During the chapters on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, he gives brief summaries of the stories for those who have not read them. He seems to have had a different version to the ones I have read. There is a reference to Lotho Simple, and it is Sam who sees the grey rain curtain turned all to silver glass!
Personally I found the book irritating. It does however contain some wonderful photographs, many of which I had not seen before. I actually bought it for those alone, but whether the price of £12.99 is worth paying just for the photographs, I will leave that up to you.